Copyright 2024 – Rebecca Nietert
Age 6 – Let me take you on a little journey down memory lane, back to the good old days of being a kid and growing up in a budget-conscious household. Now, we weren’t just your run-of-the-mill kind of poor. Oh, no. We were the “bills don’t always get paid” kind of poor. But hey, it shaped us into some pretty resourceful little food wizards!
You see, we didn’t have the luxury of eating fancy meals night after night. Nope, we were all about stretching every penny and getting creative in the kitchen. Leftovers were our best friends. In fact, our meals were like a culinary adventure, never knowing what interesting concoction we’d come up with next. Who needs jelly sandwiches when you can have a cool aid and sugar extravaganza, right?
Now, here’s where things get interesting. The government swooped in with their powdered milk, cheese, rice, and good ol’ peanut butter. Those were the routine staples that graced our humble kitchen. And you know what? We made those ingredients sing! We turned them into masterpieces that would make even the most renowned chefs green with envy.
But you know what really brings a smile to my face when I think back to those days? Waking up each morning and engaging in the ultimate race to the floor vent. Oh yes, you read that right. We would snuggle up under blankets, strategically placed over the vent, and dress ourselves in those cozy warm layers. Why, you ask? Well, because dear old Mom had to turn off the heat at night to save every penny she could. So until our house warmed up, we had our little heating methods to keep us toasty.
And you know what? Despite the hardships and the chilly mornings, I look back on those days with a sense of pride. We may have been short on cash, but we were rich in resilience and creativity. So, the next time you think back on your childhood, remember that even the pinch of poverty can add a dash of character to your life story.
Ah, those were the days.
Reba Nietert 